Display apparatus



Jan. 26, 1932. F. LA BARRER DI SPLAY APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26. 1929 v INVENTOR rankLaElarr-er- ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 26, 1932. LA R 1,842,615

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 26, 1932. F. LA BARRER DI SPLAY APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIQII 5 mm W o E 8 5 0 o i @m w lb ID W.

D O i u m W1 1 W V INVENTQR. F ank L'aElar'r". E1

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 26, 1932. F LA BARRER DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQR. rankLaElar'rer' ATTORNEYS OIHOUE C @Z UHIN Patented Jan. 26, 1932 FRANK LA BAKREB, 10F BAL IMORE, MAB LcsND DISPLAY APPARATUS Appl cation filed. March 26, 1929. Serial No. 359,018.

This invention relates to improvements in dlxsi'ilay apparatus.

The prinniry object ot this invention is the provision of display apparatus. 5 A further object of the invention is the provision oil? merchandise display device, by means of which clothing and other articles of merchandise may he continuously and elficiently displayed in a moving relation, so that the same may be thoroughly viewed in an attractive n-ranner to spectators.

A further and important object of this in- \"Gl'li'lOlil is the provision of an improved display device, which consists of a plurality of mercnmdise supporting members movably positioned remote from each other, and em both ing :1. cooperative illuminating and ourt 1 screening arrangement which will peru tile merchandise on the movable members to he alternately displayed through a single viewing opening.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding pants throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragrnentaly plan view, par tially diagrammatic showing the relation of the improved cabinet and associated merchandise display details.

ll igurc 2 is la front elevation, partly in section. showing the manner in which a model or article of merchandise may be positioned in the cabinet and viewed in an efiicient reflected relation hy spectators.

Figures 3 and t are sectional views taken su hstantially on their respective lines in F gure l of the drawings, these views being on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional enlarged view taken substantially on the line of'Figure 4.

Figure (5 is a fragmentary plan view showing one of the movable turn tables upon which a plurzliity of articles of merchandise may be positioned in a movable relation thereon "the vieav illustrating the details of the rotatable turn-table arrangement.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken through a detent utilized in connection with the holding ol' the turn-tables against rotation.

Figure 8 is a side elevation, of the socket in the turn tclole into which the detent of Fig ure 7 engages.

Figure 9 is a View showing a latch for holding the detent inoperative.

Figure 10 is a view showing contacts which may he carried by stationary and movable portions of the improved merchandise display device, forming a switch for controlling a circuit.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken sulostantially on the line 11--11 of Figure l, s a-1d *iew being on an enlarged scale.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the 'line 12-12 of Figure ll.

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view t alten through portions of the improved device, showing a plate glass reflecting member and cooperative opaque screen o-peratin upon an endless chain or carrier in a nove G into compartments D chandise supporting mam turn-tables and E, wherein mer- F and G are rotatably positioned. Means H is provided in the casing or cabinet B, forming an opening or passageway 1-n which the spectator looks, for observing the merchandise on the turn-t ables ll served direct,

and Gr; the latter being oband the former thru the intermediary oi. reflecting equipment 'K. (loop and M are pro .eratively controlled illuminating means L vided in the compartments 1) and respectively for the merchandise supporting devices F and G.

The casing constmiction of the improved device preferably comprises a supporting floor or platfo rm 20, which may be .a permanent part of a building structure, or sup ported upon trestles or other supports 21. Upstanding studding or posts 22 may be provided, having horizontal overhead beams or supports 23 connected therewith if desired; the posts 22 being arranged in a four-walled arrangement, and being adapted to receive opaque fabric or other wall forming material thereupon and over the horizontal beam supports 23, to provide a front wall 24; side walls 25 and 26; a rear wall 27, and a roof wall 28, all preferably opaque and interiorly finished in black, although this is merely a preferred arrangement.

The compartments D and E are preferably partitioned by the wall 0, which is preferably of fabric or any other approved wall forming material, diagonally disposed in the cabinet or casing, from the corner location of the walls 25 and 27 at approximate angles of 45 with respect thereto, to a location adjacent the juncture of the front wall 24 and other side wall 26. This defines the compartments D and E, which while they are shown of unequal size, may be approximately equal in dimension.

The means H forming the view opening or passageway consists of curtains or walls 31 and 32, of opaque material, extending normal to the front wall .24, in spaced relation; the front wall 24 having the opening 33 therein,

- of any approved width and height, although sufficient ,to display therein the full heightand width of a living person of average height. The walls 31 and 32 intersect thru the partition wall 0, and at this intersection I the reflecting means K is positioned; the walls and 31 terminating in spaced relation within the compartment E. In the wall 31 within the area of the compartment D, the

same is provided with laterally extending.

spaced walls 34 and 35, defining a lateral passageway 36'wl1ich directly faces the diagonally positioned reflecting means K, and

which walls 34 and terminate in the com-' partment D in spaced relation facing the means F.

The merchandise supportingand receiving devices G and F are in the nature of turntables supported in openings 40 in the platform 20. Each of the turn-tables F and G includes a disc-shaped circular body 42, proin Figures 3 and 4 tically depending stub shaft 47, bolted at 48 ably includes a sheet of to the lower portion and axially of the disc 42; the lower end thereof having a bevel gear or pinion 49 thereon. A motor 50 is carried by the yoke 46 of the respective turn-table F or G, as the case may be, the shaft 51 of which has a worm 52 meshing with a worm gear 53 which is keyed upon a shaft 54, which, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 6, has a gear 55 that meshes with the pinion or bevel gear 49 above described. This structure can be clearly understood from Figures 3, 4 and 6 of the drawings.

The motors 50 of the rotatable devices F and G are cooperatively controlled as will be subsequently mentioned.

Each of the turn-table devices F and G, and the turn-table body 42 thereof, are provided with circularopenings and 61, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, at diametrically opposed sides of the center there: of, rotatably receiving therein merchandise supporting turn-tables 63 and 64 respectively, and rotatable therein upon supports 65 which are carried by brackets 66 attached to and beneath the respective turn-table bodies 42, as shown in Figure 3. Individual means are provided for rotating the tables 63 and 64, consisting of motors 70, supported on respective brackets 66. These motors 70 are provided with shafts 71 having worm gears thereon, designated at 72 in the drawings, which mesh with worm gears 73 of the shafts 74, shown in Figure 5; the shafts 74 driving the depending stub shafts 76 of the respective minor turn-table 63 and 64, by means of bevelgears 78, shown in Figure 5.

The turn-table devices F and G are so positioned that the merchandise supporting turntables 63- and 64 thereon may be selectively aligned with the passageways of the device H which respectively face in the compartments D and E, it being noted that the plane of the wall 31 about diametrically intersects the disc G, and that the planeof the wall 35 substantially diametrically intersects the turn-table:

device F, so that in the case of the turn-table device G, only one of the minor turn-tables 63 or 64 thereof may be aligned with the passageway between the walls 31 and 32, and in the case of the turn-table the minor turn-tables 63 or 64 may be aligned in the passageway between the walls 34 and 35.

Referring to the means K, the same preferried detachably in a frame 84'across an opening provided in the partition wall G, in that portion which intersects the pasageway between the walls'31 and 32 above mentioned.

An observer standing exteriorly of the cabinet B facing the opening 33 may look down the passageway therethrough and through the transparent plate glass 80 and readily observe any merchandise supported on the respective minor turn-table of the turn-table device F only one of plate glass 80, car-" device G which happens to be facing the passageway between said walls 81 and 32; it of course being understood that the merchandise as time positioned is readily seen by the illumination from means M.

(if course, an observer at the opening 33 cannot directly see merchandise upon the turn-table device 1*. in order to permit such, however, the means M is dimmed or cut off altogether to darken the compartment E and the compartment 1) illun'iinated by the means L, which permits a reflection of the merchandise on that portion of the minor turn-table of the turn-table device F which happens to be facing the pasageway 36 to be observed in a reflected manner from the plate glass 80. Under the latter circumstances to ilHblS l in proper reflection of the merchandise from the plate glass 80, it is preferred to place an opaque screen rearwardly of the same. lhis screen must be so placed that it will be removed upon switching of illumination from the compartment D to the compartment E, in order that the merchandise on the turn-table arrangement G may be observed, since the merchandise upon the turntable devices F and G are alternately displayed to the observer. To this end, vertical shafts 82 and 83 are supported at opposite sides of the passageway delined by walls 31 and 212, at the outer sides of said walls, and preferably rearwardly of the partition (I. 'lhese shafts and 83 are carried at their upper ends by a horizontal top beam 8 1, braced by diagonal braces 86, as shown in l igure 11. The shafts 82 and 83 at their upper ends are provided with sprocket wheels 85, over which an upper sprocket or endless chain 88 is provided, and the lower ends of said shafts 62 and 83 are provided with sprocket wheels 8? having a sprocket endless chain 8!) trained thereover. Between the upper and lower sprocket chains 88 and 89 are disposed two preferably flexible fabric opaque or non-transparent curtains 90 and 91, each of which, in length, is equivalent to slightly more than one-half the distance between the axes of the shafts 82 and 83. This arrangement is shown in Figure 13, and the ci'lrt-ains 90 and 91 are so secured to the sprocket chains that the edges thereof are spaced the same distance along the endless sprocket chains. With such an arrangement, the endless chains need be driven in one direction only, and the passageway between the walls 3i and at the rear of the transparent plate glass will be alternately covered by the opaque curtains and 91. ln Figure 13 it is shown tht the opaque cur tains 90 and 91 are overlapped to cover the rear of the plate 80, and in Figure 1 said curtains or screens 90 and 91 are traveling about the shafts 82 and 83, so as to not obstruct the passageway at the rear of the plate 80, for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter set forth.

The endless chains or sprockets 88 and 89 are rotated by means of a motor 93 connected through suitable gearing 94, with the shaft 83, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The motor 93 need be driven in one direction only, in order that the curtains 90 and 91 may alternately shut off and open the passageway between the walls 31 and 32.

'lhe illuminating means L consists of av series of foot lights 100, set within a depression in the floor or base 20 across the space between the walls 3 1 and 335, remote from the plate glass 80, where the passageway 3s opens into the compartment 1). Vertically disposed illuminating devices 101 and 102 are provided at each end of the series of lights 100, positioned to converge the rays thereof, and to one or the other of the minor tables 63 and 64 in a line axially of the passageway 30. With the opaque screen formed by the curtains 90 and 91 positioned to the rear of the plate glass 80, the latter will act as a mlrror and reflect therefrom to observers standing at the opening 30, the image of any merchan dise which is illuminated in the compartment- ,l) by means L, on either minor turn-table 03 or 64; which faces the passageway 36. Of course, the turntable device F may be rotated to alternately place merchandise on the minor turn-tables (53 and 6a in such position.

The illuminating means M consists of a series of foot lights 105 arranged directly across the space between the walls 31 and 32, where the passageway 106 between said walls opens into the compartment E. Vertically disposed illuminating devices 107 and 108 are positioned to converge the rays of light therefrom, onto a portion of the turn-table device G which immediately faces axially of the passageway 106. It should be noted, as an important feature, that the ilhnninating means M is not as intense as the illuminating means L, and one way of obtaining this effect is to provide more lights in the illuminating means L, although the same results might be accomplished by variation in candle power.

i desired, decorative screens 110 and 111 may be positioned on the interior of the walls 27 and respectively, in facing relation with the openings of the passageways 106 and 36 respectively, thru the compartments E and 1) respectively, for the obvious reason of permitting spectators and observers to view only an attractive display, which may be placed in an environment most suitable for the class of merchandise on display.

Referring to the diagrammatic representation of Figure 14, current is supplied from a generator or other source 120, fron'i which a line 121 leads oil, wherein a main switch 122 is positioned. A circuit making and breaking device 123 is provided, which may be either manually or automatically controlled,

which consists of a rotatably supported" switch arm 124, directly connected in the line 12-1. Contacts 125 and 126 are diametrically opposed from the pivot of the switch arm 124, for alternate engagement by the latter; the same being respectively connected in circuits 127 and 128, wherein are positioned the motors which control the rotation of the turn-table devices F and G respectively. The circuits 127 and 128 of course receive current from the generator 120. So that the circuits 127 and 128 may be inde-' pendently controlled, it is preferred to provide switches 129 and 130 respectively therein, for purposes to be subse";uentl mentioned.

The controller switch mechanism 123 furthermore includes arcuate contacts 184 and 135, positioned at diametrically opposed sides of the pivot center of the switch arm 124, and for switch engagement by the latter. The said contacts 184 and 135 are disposed in circuits 187 and 138, wherein the minor turn-table operating motors 79 of the turntables G and F ate respectively interposed, as will be subsequently mentioned. Of course, those circuits and 138 include the generator 120 a portion thereof. The curtain controlling motor 93 is disposed in a circuit 140, one lead wire of which extends to the circuit controller 123, and has a pair of diametrically disposed switch contacts 141' tended to put the motor and 142 therein, for alternate engagement by the switch an 124. The contact 142 is in-' 98 in operation, when the switch arm 124 engages the same, to move the opaque curtains 90 and 91 from an open to a closed position across the passageway 106, and the engagement of the switch arm 124 with the contact 141 will cause a movement of the opaque curtains 90 and 91 so as to move them from a closed to an open position with respect to said passageway 106.

From Figure 14 it can be seen that each of the minor turn-table motors is disposed in an open circuit upon the support therefor, including a pair of contacts 160, as shown in Figure 14. These contacts 160 are'each of the nature shown in Figure 10, insulated, as shown at 161 from the spectively supports the same, Likewise, each of the circuits 187 and 138 are opened to provide a pair of contacts 162, wnich may be engaged by the contacts 160 toclose the said circuits 137 and 138, as the case may the turn-table devices F and G to the proper positions, This is wel shown in Figure 14 of the drawings, and is obviously an arrangement which will permit the minor turntables 68 and 64 to rotate as they are moved into position for display. The illumina-ting devices L and have a common rheostat P, which includes movable pivoted arm 165 connected by a line 166 with one terminal of the generator 120. A line 167 extends from bracket 66 which 're be, when are rotated the other terminal of the generator, wherein the lamps of the illuminating means L are positioned, and this line 167 is connected to one end of the resistance coil 170 of the rheo stat P. Another circuitline 17 2 is connected to the same terminal of the generator 120 as the line 167 above described, but at its opposite end it is connected to the opposite end of the rheostat resistance coil 170. In this manner the current from the generator 120 may be employed togradually switch the current from the illuminating means L to the illuminating means M, and vice versa, to vary the intensity of illumination, and finally shut off one of said illuminating means, while fully illuminating the other. This is a selective arrangement.

Detent devices 170 are provided in connection with each of the turn-table bodies 42 to prevent rotation thereof when in definite position, and also in connection with each of the minor turntables 63 and 64 of the turntable devices F and G. The detents 170 are bestillustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 9, each consisting of a detent body 171 reciprocably supported in a suitable recess 172 in a portion of the structure facing the periphery of the respective turn-tables; spring urged at- 17 4 against the periphery of the turn-tables, for seating in sockets 175 provided therein. The sockets 175 are provided at one point only on the periphery of the minor turn-tables 63 and 64, but are preferably provided at diametrically opposed locations on the periphery of the major turn-table bodies 20, as shown in Figure 6, to alternately position the minor turn-tables 63 and 64, in display position. Means 178 is provided to manually withdraw the detent body 171 from the socket 175, and pawls 179, best shown in Figure 9, are provided, pivoted at 180, and overbalanced at their ends 181, to normally engage against the detent bodies 171. The forward end of each of the detent bodies 171 is reduced, providing a shoulder 182 at its juncture with the squared or polygonal portion 183 which fits in the recess 182, as shown in Figure 9, and the weighted end 181 of the detent 170 will fall upon the reduced end of the detent body and engage against the shoulder 182 to prevent the spring 174 from urging the detent into the socket 175. The opposite end of the pawl 179 from the end of greater weight is provided with a sloping edge 185, which a pin 186 on the periphery of the respective turn-table cooperating therewith is adapted to engage, to trip the pawl 179 and permit the spring 174 to urge the detent 170 against the periphery of the turntable; the latter rotating until' he detent engages in a socket 175, at which time the turntable stops and is held in position against rotative movement until the detent is manually released, in a manner which is perfectly apparent.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. The ebserver s stand is at the front wall looking; into the opening 33 axially of the passage way 106. l i ith the opaque curtains 90 and 91. remov d from the rear of the transparent plate glass 80, the lamps are on in the illumination M, and the lamps of the means L are o it, as regulated by the controller 165 above described. This enables the observer to see through the transparent plate directly on the article of merchandise supported on the turn-table 6;, or (i l, which happens to be exposed axially of the passageway 106, and the said minor turn-table 63 or 64: which. is so exposed slowly rotates, by reason of the fact that the motor T0 thereof is in the circuit 13?, as shown in Figure 1%. The observer, oi? course, se ,5 the entire article of merchandise,

during its course of rotation. As soon as it has completed a rotation, the detent 1T0 therefor drops into its socket 175, and at this time the observer will see a change in scene and illmnination slowly taking the place, due

- to the :tact that the illumination lvl being closed oil, and the lamps of the iliun'iinatinp; means L coming on. During this interval both of the turn-table devices G and F are stationary, and the opaque curtains and 91 move into the position shown in Figure 13. As the lamp means L is fully illuminated the article of merchandise on the minor turn-table ot' the turn-table device F which :laces the passageway 36 is set into rotation, by the circuit arrangement above described, and the same reflected to the observer from the diagonally positioned plate glass 80, which acts as a mirror in refiectii'ig; a true image of the rotating article of merchandise. During this interval the operator has released the detent 170 of the turn-table G and permitting the turn-table to rotate to 180 to position the other minor turn-table in line with the passageway 106, with an article of merchandise supported thereon in position to he rotated as soon as the article of inerchandise on the minor turn-table which faces the passageway 36 has completed its revolution. Thus, the illumination is switched back and forth between the compartments D and E, and the turn-table devices F and G alternately rotated to alternately display the article of merchandise on each of the minor turn-tables thereof thru the passageways 36 and 106, to the observer looking into the opening 33. Live models, dummy models, and other articles of merchandise either larger or smaller may be displayed. The intensity in the illuminating means L is multiplied over that of the intensity of the illuminating means M, due to the fact that the former must act to reflect the merchandise to the observer, while the latter does not act in this manner.

is one example of use, on one side of one large turn-table a fashion subject may be positioned, dressed, in say, hat, coat, handbag, parasol, and the like, and on the opposite S1112lll'ttll11-tttl)l@ of the same major turn-table, t 1e subject may be dressed in lingerie. In the other compartment one or the subjects may be dressed in ordinary house or street d es, and opposite to her in the same compartment on the other turn-table maybe placed a girl wearin a birthing); suit. in position to be visible to the spectator succeeding; the oliiservance of the lingerie di ay. Any number and variety of such alterna' one and changes may he made without st the display or detracting from the llltlh st oi the spectators.

Various chances in the shape, size, and ari as may be made to the form of invention he ein shown and described, thout dopartii from the spirit of the invr-ntion or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. in a dis-splay device the combination of an enclosure having); an ohs r'ver s openin therein, a display device positioned for displaying objects thereon directly to an observer looking through the observers opening, a second display device in. enclosure, reflecting means for reflecting image of the objects on the second display device through the ohservens opnin o the observer, synchronized illui inating devices tor each of the display dev ces, and opaque screeninu means synchronized with operation of the illuminating means and said display devices tor shutting oil the first mentii'med displav device to the observer upon the illumination of the second display device.

2. In a display device of the class described an enclosure having; a pair of display compartments therein, a single observcrs opening, means providing a passageway direct from the observers opening), to a display in one of the display compartments, a second means providing a lateral passageway leading from the first mentioned passageway, reflect ing means positioned in the first mentioned passageway for reflecting objects from the second display con'ipartment thru the second passageway thru the observers opening, means in each of said compartments positioned at the ends oi: the first and second passageways in the enclosure for supporting olojects in i aciro' elation with res ective passageways, m is for selectively illuminati11, said display compartments, and opaque cur tain means operable in the first mentioned compartment to shut off vision therefrom when the second mentioned con'ipartment is illuminated for display purposes.

3. In a dis 'ilay device an enclosure having an ohservers opening); and a passageway leading therefrom to a compartment in the enclosure, a lateral passageway leadine, oil from the first mentioned passageway and out of direct alignment with the observers opening, a transparent plate of glass positioned diagonally across the first mentioned passageway for reflecting objects aligning with the second mentioned passageway thru the observers opening, objects on display in the compartment at the end of the first mentioned passageway being directly visible thru said transparent plate of glass and thru the observers opening, and opaque screening means operable across the first mentioned passageway between the transparent plate glass and the display compartment at the end of said first mentioned passageway.

4:. In a display device an enclosure having an observers opening and a passageway leading therefrom to a compartment in the enclosure, a lateral passageway leading off from the first mentioned passageway and out of direct alignment with the observers opening, a transparent plate of glass positioned diagonally across the first mentioned passageway for reflecting objects aligning with the second mentioned passageway thru the observers opening, objects on display in the compartment at the end of the first mentioned passageway being directly visible thru said transparent plate or glass and thru the observers opening, opaque screening means operable across the first mentioned passageway between the transparent plate glass and the display compartment at the end of said first mentioned passageway, and means for alternately and selectively illuminating the respective displays in said enclosure.

FRANK LA BARBER. 

